When Should You Replace Your Tyres?

Your tyres are the only contact point between your vehicle and the road. When they wear out, your stopping distance increases, wet-weather grip plummets, and the risk of a blowout rises sharply. Here's how to know when it's time to replace them.

The Tread Depth Rule

South African law (NRTA) requires a minimum tread depth of 1 mm across the central three-quarters of the tyre width. However, most tyre experts — and major manufacturers — recommend replacing tyres at 1.6 mm, and strongly advise against running below 2 mm in wet conditions.

A quick way to check: most tyres have built-in tread wear indicators — small rubber bridges in the tread grooves. When the surface is level with these indicators, you've reached the legal minimum and must replace the tyres immediately.

Tip: Insert a 2-rand coin into the tread groove. If you can see the gold rim of the coin, your tread is at or below 2 mm and you should book a replacement soon.

Age Matters as Much as Mileage

Rubber degrades over time even when a tyre looks visually fine. The general recommendation is to replace tyres that are more than 5–6 years old, regardless of tread depth. Tyres older than 10 years should always be replaced.

You can find your tyre's manufacture date on the sidewall — look for a DOT code ending in four digits. For example, '2423' means the tyre was made in the 24th week of 2023.

Visual Warning Signs

• Cracks or crazing in the sidewall — indicates UV and ozone degradation.
• Bulges or blisters on the sidewall — a sign of internal damage, possibly from a pothole impact. Replace immediately.
• Uneven wear — worn only in the centre (over-inflation), worn on both edges (under-inflation), or worn on one edge (alignment issue).
• Vibration while driving — can indicate a damaged or out-of-balance tyre.
• Repeated pressure loss — a tyre that keeps losing air may have a slow puncture or a damaged bead.

How Long Do Tyres Last in South Africa?

Under typical Cape Town driving conditions — mixed highway and urban — a quality mid-range tyre like a Dunlop, Michelin, or Bridgestone will last between 40,000 and 70,000 km. Budget tyres can wear significantly faster. Hot road surfaces in summer and high-speed highway driving both accelerate wear.

Replace in Pairs or All Four?

Whenever possible, replace tyres in pairs (both fronts or both rears). If your budget allows, replacing all four at the same time ensures balanced handling and consistent grip. If you can only replace two, put the new tyres on the rear axle — rear tyre failure is significantly more dangerous than front tyre failure.

Book a Free Tyre Inspection

Not sure if your tyres need replacing? Swing into any Value Tyre branch in Paarden Island, Cape Town City, or Tokai for a free tyre safety check. Our technicians will measure your tread depth and inspect your sidewalls at no charge — no appointment needed.